St Teresas Academy - Avila Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 9 text:

As we noticed changes in our surroundings, we discovered ourselves changing, too. While external changes seem to just happen to us, we can choose to make changes within. Those internal changes affect who we are and reflect the transfor- mations that surround us. Yet we are quite aware of the strain of turbulance and serenity that our moods, attitudes, and feelings are going through. These changes, although extremely important, often go un- noticed by those around us. However, they are mirrored in the things which make us different from the crowd. They grab our attention as if to say, Take a look at me now.” Sometimes these changes are in appearance. Maybe a new haircut, or hair color, or a new way of dressing. Our ways of saying, Take a look at me now,” are as varied and complex as our personalities. It’s when you scored a winning goal, bought a new. fancy dress, received the highest grade in the class, or crossed the finish line first. The time all eyes were on you, because you were something spectacular, and you knew it. The time was yours and you went for it. This year we were all standouts in our own ways. So look back without regret for moments of downfall but savor the moments that were truly yours. Those spent at your very best. The moments you were proud to say, Take a look at me now.” Left: Junior. Misty Famuliner, enjoys the rapid growth of her child development friend. Above: Sophomore. Kaci Guthrie reflects the sheer surprise that change can bring. S 5

Page 8 text:

Turn and face the strain ch-ch-changes — David Bowie Top Center: Juniors. Shannon Cate and Katy Padberg dem- onstrate the diverse reactions to change. Bottom left: Freshman, Beth McGuire makes the transformation from student to a dancing maid. Bottom center: Freshman, Becky Kenny struggles to figure out the mechanics of a manual typewriter.

Page 10 text:

Mom said we were going to clean my room today. This means that my mother, the conserva- tive, the queen of, if it’s a year old. it’s obsolete , is going to lay both eyes and hands on my treasures. Well, they aren’t priceless, and from the way they’re strewn all over my room, buried under my shoes, and shoved to the back of my closet, you wouldn’t think that these are things I love and trea- sure. But, treasure them I do! It’s amazing what seeing that dried up rose pressed into my photo album does for my spirits. Sometimes when I just happen to be under my bed, I find old cards and notes from people. What- ever I’m doing is put on hold as I am transported back to the time and place in which I received the card. Frantically, I race around my room, first unearthing my treasures, and then trying to stash them in the unlikeliest places. As I hide an enormous rock, painted gaudy green and yellow, I can’t help but wonder why I am saving it. I mean, I just can’t see myself hauling the rock off with me for prominent display in my college dorm. I hear my mom puffing up the stairs, and I make a last hopeful survey of the room .. . nothing in sight! As she walks into the room, I know she means business; she is carrying an entire box of Hefty bags. The closet is the first to go. She grabs all the clothes I don’t want her to throw away, and tosses them into a trashbag. Stealthily, j I creep up and remove them, sneaking them back into the closet. The desk is next on her hit list. I try to watch in a detached manner as an entire semes- ter’s worth of notes my friends and I wrote during religion class are tossed into the trashbag. She throws things and I catch them in mid-air, barely sav- ing them from the jaws of death, per- sonified as a gaping green Hefty bag. I don’t remember where all my trea- sures are stashed. Sometimes as I am, for some strange reason, looking be- hind the stereo, or the radiator, I find one of my precious pieces. I wonder why this piece of junk that is worth nothing can be worth so much. Here are some ordinary objects made extraordinary by people’s minds and hearts. Sr. Jean ladevito — I have a box of shells, just because I don’t want to throw it away. I also have a container of oil paint brushes because someday I might use them. Alexis Petri, senior — My Rollmaster toilet paper roller. It is a symbol of an art project that I never finished.” Lourdes Vallazza, junior — All the birthday cards I have ever gotten. When I clean out my drawers, I like to just read them. I don’t get any cleaning done. Mary-Therese Reardon, junior — A cup of sand from the beach. It is my escape because I look at the sand and dream of lying in the sun with warm water lapping at my feet. 6